Original subtitles

Everywhere I go in the city these days, I see the flag.

Still there, that star -spangled banner yet waving.

This is the kind of spirit we felt during World War II.

That's when I first came to New York. I was a young sailor serving on the USS

Mason. As soon as we got leave, my shipmates and I hurried up here to

Harlem always has meant freedom to me and a little bit more.

That's why I brought my wife and son here after the war.

But now that my wife has passed away, my son's after me to move.

Come live with him in his big house in Connecticut.

No, no, no.

My memories are here.

I'm staying put.

I do not appreciate it that I have to come after you about loud noise.

It's one o 'clock in the morning. I thought you were asleep.

How could I possibly sleep?

You know the rules.

No partying, not while you under this roof. I'm sorry, Granddad.

No sorry won't cut it.

You gotta tell your father that this is not working.

What's a man supposed to do to get some peace and rest in the last years of his

life? Well, hey, it's either me or Connecticut.

That's no choice.

You're right about that.

Who are you?

I'm Marcus, sir.

It was my music that woke you up. Music?

There was no music.

There was noise.

We had music. You had the greats.

Louis Armstrong, Prez, Duke Ellington.

You ever listen to them?

Yeah. My grandmother used to play Billie Holiday records all the time when I was

little. Billie Holiday.

Yeah, she was great.

But there was a woman used to sing at the Mandalay Club

on 135th Street.

Izzy Claw was her name.

Man, could she sing the blues.

Blues is what sees you through your worst times.

Heart broke.

Pain come down on me.

She never made but one record, though.

Larry, would you run to my room and bring us back that wooden box I got in

corner? You told me never to go into your room. Larry, would you get the box?

All right. Okay.

So, you at the law school?

No, sir. I'm getting my doctorate in African -American studies.

You, university?

Oh, yes, sir. General studies.

Oh, yeah.

Bring it on in, Larry.

Right there on the table.

Ah. Ah.

Yes.

There she is. Ezzie Gore, 1944.

Now, I want you to listen.

Listen to that woman's voice.

You haunt me

With

reveries Of

days gone by You know you're in the Navy, Granddad?

Yeah. I fought in World War II.

Military was a segregated thing, wasn't it?

Yeah.

They were too.

Up until 1943, all you could be was a steward.

A complete separate branch.

Separate but not equal.

Right.

And then they needed manpower to fight the two -ocean war.

And then you could sound like to be...

A seaman would get raided.

That's when I enlisted.

But of all the black men in the Navy, my shipmates, 160 of us on the

USS Mason, we were the only one to take a warship into combat.

How could you risk your life for a government that allowed segregation?

I wasn't fighting for the government.

My country had been attacked.

How'd you feel about September the 11th?

I'm going to hit you like that.

You know, it's all about home.

And a man will defend his home.

And we were good.

Oh, man.

We were proud.

We were ready for hitting anybody else.

I remember me and my two best buddies coming back from Liberty.

Commissioning Day, Boston, March 20, 1944.

That's me.

My nickname was Snafu.

It was one seller's version of the fine New Orleans name of Dufault.

That's Gordon Buchanan.

We called him Skinny.

And then there was James Graham from Lake City, South Carolina.

He was quiet, but you didn't fool with him.

We were on top of the world.

We finally had a ship.

Yes, there were white officers, but the USS Mason belonged to us.

Look at these stewards, dressed up like seamen.

You boys steal these uniforms?

What the hell's this on your sleeve?

It's more rank than you got in 20 years.

It's going to be given us orders soon.

Look, you're such a radio boy. Come on, let's get back to the ship.

We wanted to get into the real war. Then we could prove ourselves once and for

all.

The Mason was a destroyer escort, small but fast and heavily armed.

We passed all the trials with flying colors.

My shipmates operated all the new technology the Navy said the black man

never master.

Sonar, radio, radar.

We expected to go right into combat like the rest of the ships in our group did.

But the Navy sent us to Charleston, South Carolina, where we waited for

that never came.

That's when the only black war correspondent accredited to report from

Navy ship arrived, Thomas W. Young.

War correspondents could wear uniforms, and his was custom -made.

He was piped aboard.

That's how the Navy shows respect.

The captain ordered it.

Captain Big Bill Blackford.

Big Bill told us right from the start he wasn't going to solve no race problems.

He was there to run a U .S. Navy ship.

Welcome, Mr. Young. Thank you.

Captain Blackford gave Mr. Young access to all parts of the ship and permission

to interview the crew. This way.

I showed him around.

This is the radio room.

The radio man in third class, Benjamin Garrison. The radio man in second class,

James Grant. He even met our ship's mascot.

What the hell? What have we here?

Dog on the ship.

That's horrible.

Yeah, I've never been in an officer's company before.

Well, the Navy wants good press, but a private room won't get it for them. What

do you mean?

Well, I'm very skeptical about this so -called experiment.

You see, some say it's divine to fail, or they'll just be disappointed.

Indeed.

Mr. Young, I left my wife and my son back at home.

Well, this is not a test or an experiment.

You're going to fail.

You don't have a choice.

Young knew that none of the services wanted to allow black men to go into

combat. Succeed there, and we'd really threaten the status quo.

A segregated military with us at the bottom.

The Mason was supposed to be different.

But why is it? Signalman First Class, Gordon Buchanan.

What does serving on the Mason mean to you? When they first asked me to serve

an all -Negro ship, I thought it was amazing.

And then I also thought, well, it's about time for all -Negro ships to get

there and show the rest of the boys what we can do.

Signalman Second Class, Lorenzo Dufault, U .S. Navy.

How do you feel about serving on the Mason?

I always wanted to belong to something bigger, something where I could

contribute to my country in my own way.

This is the first real opportunity I've had.

I'm Railman Second Class James W. Graham.

Why the Navy?

Well, I wanted to join the Army Air Corps, but the guy at the recruiting

told me that there were no Negroes in the Army Air Corps.

So he told me about the Navy, and I first said no, I didn't want to.

Go aboard the Navy and be a cook, be a steward, be cleaning up after people.

So he told me about this evening's branch.

I said, that sounded good. I joined.

Hello, everybody.

We've come all the way down here from little old Broadway to, where are we?

Right. Hey, I thought it was supposed to be warm down here, guys.

Hit it.

White women dancing with niggers. Out of the way, boy.

It just might be the battle that got you into the war.

Young sent those films and a report on the incident to Eleanor Roosevelt.

She stirred things up.

Somebody in Washington got the message, and finally they gave us a mission

worthy of the USS Mason.

These are our orders from the Secretary of the United States Navy.

The USS Mason will proceed directly into combat.

Her first action may be by day or night.

any type of vessel or aircraft possessed by our ruthless and able enemy.

The fleet force and its unit commanders must rely on the USS Mason as a fighting

unit. It is our job to justify their confidence.

The USS Mason, destroyer escort 529, finally took her

place in the fleet.

We were the shepherds, guarding and guiding the flock.

keeping it together and moving forward, ready to lay down our lives too, if

necessary. And the wolves were out there.

Hundreds of German submarine, U -boats, sank ship after ship,

cut the supply lines, and Hitler would win the war.

That's what the Battle of the Atlantic was all about.

I'm picking up transmissions.

Think. Just across the town.

It's not that cold.

You both?

Yes, I was telling you.

It's slower.

They're out there.

The question is where.

How much experience do you have? I had to slide what goes to the captain.

But this may be important information.

Who are you?

Thomas Young, war correspondent.

Well, this is my radio room.

Not a large meeting.

And just how did you come to be aboard the Mason?

Officers had a choice.

We enlisted didn't.

The only place in the Navy you got to eat and sleep with colored.

Can't you notify the captain? We have to follow the chain of command.

That's right.

Captain wants to know if there's a new weather report.

What's wrong?

Radioman Graham hears something suspicious and this gentleman... I've

situation under control. Possible U -boats in a wolf pack, sir.

Communicating with each other.

Well, the captain needs to know about this.

Ninety -day warriors.

Graham, come with me.

Excuse me.

Yes? The radio inspector about Graham has a possible contact, sir.

Why didn't the chief penny officer send it out? Chief Pops thinks it's bogus,

sir.

Tell the captain what you heard.

I heard a series of short transmissions, sir. The key in sound is German.

It's different than ours. It's slower.

Coming from the area we were briefed about, sir.

U -boat's got the convoy ahead of us. Lured a DE into a wolfpack ambush, then

hit the other ship.

Signal Commodore of convoy possible contact.

Ask permission to investigate.

Yes, sir.

Good work, sailor.

Go back to your station.

Aye, aye, sir.

That's all.

Right on.

That's what we call the U -boat, sir.

We're going out to Red Dog.

Make turn for 15 knots.

All right.

Low pressure turbine.

Secure. Main pressure turbine.

Stop.

Con sonar contact.

Bearing 056 at 10 ,000 yards.

General Porter to battle station.

All right, sir. General Porter, General Porter.

045, all engines, blank speed.

All engines, blank speed.

045,

I'm

feeling for you.

May I have some from you? Hold on to something.

We'll be doing some fast maneuvering.

Boy, that's light.

Torpedo started.

We had fucking to outmaneuver that torpedo or we'd be blown to kingdom

We did it. We outsmarted that U -boat. And that torpedo went right by us.

We went

on the attack.

He's running away, Captain.

No chance of a hit, but he'll remember us.

So what now, Captain?

We scared the wolves away.

We'll wait here a bit and then resume station.

Mr. Young was impressed with our performance on that maiden voyage.

Going up against the enemy abroad meant striking a blow against racism at home.

How do you feel about fighting this war abroad when there's so much unrest at

home? Well, Mr. Young, the way I look at it, suffering is suffering, really.

It's taking place in Poland or in Mississippi.

You have to do your part to try and eliminate it, wherever it is. What

is it that you are fighting for?

Well... I knew when I was signed up that I'd be fighting three wars.

One, to get here.

Two, to stay here.

And three, to do my damnedest to get back.

Do you find yourself being afraid?

We all have fear.

I try not to think about that too much, though.

I don't think I can afford to.

After 31 days at sea, we saw the Irish coastline and got ready for

liberty.

Gentlemen, I've been reading up on North Island.

You've got beautiful countryside and historic ruins.

But don't expect much nightlife.

Mr.

Young, I don't care if it's pumpkin time. Just give me liberty.

Oh, liberty.

Oh, liberty. Just give me liberty.

Oh, liberty.

Oh, liberty.

Oh, liberty.

So long, suckers.

Sweep out the radio shack while I'm gone.

Hey, Potts, I don't think they know.

Tell them.

You boys ain't going nowhere.

You're staying right on the ship. I just took a message from Fleet Command to

the captain.

Prudence dictates that the Negro members of the crew must stay aboard.

That class was really asking for it.

It might be worth it for a monster.

No, no, no. Settle down. Settle down. It's only settled down.

Now, you hear this.

Liberty will be spent on the shooter.

We get together?

Yes. We will go to war.

What do you want to do? Shoot us? Yes.

Yes. Yes, they will shoot you. They will call it a mutiny.

We'll be destroyed.

Yes.

Our leaders have negotiated this.

You

need

to do something.

Who's in the union?

Brotherhood of sweeping car porters.

We organize. You make lots of money.

Beaucoup d 'argent.

We negotiate with management.

That's what we got to do.

Put in or else.

I know

how you feel.

But my hands are tied. Captain, we can't.

Captain,

we're men.

It's that simple. We're sailors who want to drink a beer on dry land.

I know.

But you don't realize we're under a microscope here.

All the Navy sees is the color of your skin.

North Ireland is an all -white society.

Remember Charleston?

There's no telling what you'd meet.

Well, I need a beer, too.

All right, you've got your liberty.

Let's stay close together.

Be cautious.

And the first sign of trouble, get back to the ship.

First section report back here by 0800.

One minute late, you'll be AWOL.

I'm very glad to welcome you to Derry.

You will be very warmly welcomed by all of the people of this historic city.

Well, you're welcome.

Is this your first time in Ireland, boys?

Oh, yes, ma 'am.

I'm sorry about the weather.

Well, at least it's not flashing down. I might get a blast of sun yet.

Oh, don't get their hopes up, Derry.

The weather doesn't bother us. We just crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Hey, chasing

you boats.

Oh, this roar.

Sometimes we have blackouts here.

What? Like what?

She's calling me a blackout. No, no, no. She meant blackouts.

Oh, blackouts.

Yeah, we get blackouts in our country.

Well, maybe we'll see you later.

Okay.

What's your name?

What's your name, man?

Bye. Bye, y 'all.

Bye, y 'all. Let's go. Listen, listen.

They're all watching us.

Hey, Yankees.

Let's go. Let's go.

Come on, we'll buy us all a drink.

Come on.

Come on, you're fine. Come on.

Come on, Jerry. Loads of pints for these thirsty men here.

Well, boys, where are you all from?

New York, New York. New Orleans.

Hey, how long does it take to pour those beers?

Now, your horse is big, lad.

It's good for you. It's good for you.

Ah,

we knew what you Yankees were up to. American civilians building a big naval

base in Derry and Pearl Harbor comes along and suddenly everybody's in

Work for everyone.

Something I wanted to ask you.

I wanted to ask you about Marcus Garvey.

Marcus Garvey?

Yes, you see, My name is Gareth.

And I know he's from the West Indies, but thousands of Irish men and women

sent over there to Cromwell. So I was just wondering.

A relative?

He's kidding.

Come over here.

He says he's a relative of Marcus Cobb.

Well, it could be.

Did you ever see Joe Lewis, the brown bomber?

The night Joe Lewis beat Max Mellon, we must have had 50 people listening

through our radio. Made a big old fuss.

Then the Klan came and burnt a cross in front of our church.

Klan, that's a night. We can't see it.

Any of you?

Good idea. Big feed. Then we'll all go down to the session.

What's the session?

There's a session at Mary's Cottage just outside the town. Music, dancing, great

crutches, a great character altogether. You'll enjoy it. Drink up.

No, no, I couldn't. Nobody could.

We just have to, boys.

The fellas that brought to the event are watching.

Can't hurt people's families.

Hey.

Hey, Dan.

Come on, come in.

Have a few fries on your nose.

or escape forever.

Nothing put on. Just natural human kindness. No prejudice.

Oh, well.

We're not without our own divides.

You heard it right there.

Oh, just chance, anyway. I could have been born you, you, me.

Not sure you would have liked growing up me in the South.

Better weather.

Shut up, you.

You could die fighting for a country that makes us ride in the back of the

A man defends his home.

Even animals protect their young. Our country has faults.

You ever seen a lynching?

Quarter of an hour in the chain, you could be out of this war.

What do you mean?

The Irish three states neutral.

The military in the east are doing well. Six o 'clock.

And please watch the train.

We'll get you over the bargain, no bother.

Those people kept us dancing until dawn.

We had to head back to the ship, but Graham had disappeared.

Safe journey, Jim.

Thank you, Bernie.

Jesus, do you know any sailors just like me? Imagine.

He's been trying to go across the border.

No, that's on the other platform.

It's just leaving.

It's bad.

This is very bad. You know, they shoot deserters.

We went looking for them.

Crossing into the Free State.

It sounded like crossing over Jordan, but that would mean abandoning us and

that the Masons stood for.

Graham could never do that.

We were glad to see him, but now I was nervous.

In less than two hours, We'd be AWOL, and we were suddenly well and truly

Which way to the port?

This way here.

You'd be better than back to Hicks Hill. Why don't you just go over the fields

there, just on there, and that'll get you there quickly.

Cross that bay, down that small road, down to the village, past the rent

down to a strand, follow the sea shore.

You can't miss it.

North Ireland.

We had to come all that way to be treated like Americans.

I'll never forget it.

We were on our way back to the States.

No convoys, just four DEs.

A hunter -killer group looking for U -boats, but Red Dog was hiding.

That lack of action can test a crew, too.

Oh, thank you very much. Nobody's that lucky. Let me see those dice. What are

you saying? I'm saying let me see those dice.

You don't trust me, do I? No, I don't trust you.

You just gave me dope.

In those close quarters, there was no privacy.

Now, Skinny, you really think she's looking at your picture right now?

I wonder who's kissing her now.

Mind your business, snafu.

Barb's a great girl.

My own little sister.

Sister?

Mind if I write to her?

Sure. We're all sailors together.

What are you going to say to her? Mind your business, Skinny.

What are your aspirations?

Well, I'm not going back to Lake City, South Carolina.

I think I might go to a big city.

I like Chicago when we get our training there.

My good friend, Buchanan, is from New York, and he owes me $5. So maybe I'll

follow him to New York until he pays me my money.

I've learned a lot of machinery and different equipment on board the Mason

in my training. So I've heard of this new technology called television.

So I think I might go into that field.

I'm a sonar man, second class, Hank Fields.

Do you plan to finish school when you go back home?

Well, my family wants me to stay in school, but I've got dreams.

Maybe going to New York, joining a jazz band. I love music.

Musician, huh? Yeah. What do you play? I play the tenor sax.

Who would your heroes be?

Oh, man, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington.

I would like to work in weather when I leave the Navy, so I'm looking forward

it. Life after the Navy.

At ease, man.

Hello, Horace.

Hey, everybody at home is reading your stories, Mr. Young.

Good. You're also going to be looking for us.

You must come with us, Mr. Young, to meet Buchanan's family.

He promised us the home -cooked meal.

I did?

You can tell Mrs.

Buchanan and his sister all about it. I'd be delighted.

Will you write about Horace, Mr. Young?

Certainly, Johnny.

Mr. Young, let me show you the starboard section of the armory.

John, we're the captain.

That's against regulations.

You spoke to us, Chief.

Horace likes the captain.

Horace likes everyone.

Except you.

Animals know.

Well, maybe I should get to know Horace. Maybe teach

him how to swim.

Captain! Captain!

He threw an overboard!

Chief Potts, report to your quarters. I'll speak to you later.

Mark his position.

Man overboard!

Man overboard!

You got him!

Steady at 3 -4 -0. Left full rudder. 1 -0 -0.

Who is it, sir?

Horace.

That crazy Buchanan said he did it for the shot of Scott's back kept in the

pharmacy for emergencies.

Johnny pointed out that Horace was cold and wet, too.

A few days later, we were sailing at the New York Harbor.

We docked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard where new convoys were being loaded with

supplies for the final push of the war.

One of those convoys would be ours.

But just as we were getting ready for some leave, Scuttlebutt said the captain

had decided.

Chief Potts had to go.

I hope a U -boat sinks you and sends everyone of you to the bottom of the

We love you, Chief Potts.

We love you, Chief.

We're going to miss you, Chief.

We love you, Chief.

Give my regards to Broadway.

I will soon be there.

Whisper of how I'm yearning to mingle with the old times wrong.

And give my regard to old Broadway and say that I'll be there long.

Gentlemen. Please.

Thank you.

And you?

I'll take that.

Thank you.

Barbara, we have guests.

She'll be right down.

Barbara, now.

Hello, I'm James Graham.

Hello. Hello.

Mr. Young, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Barbara Buchanan. Hello.

It's a pleasure.

Likewise.

And this is Lorenzo Dufault. Hello.

Go ahead, honey, sit down, please.

You know what I expected, Jim?

You are.

I got a man crazy for me.

He's funny that way.

Losing a daughter?

Oh, I doubt it.

Barb's a city girl.

I can't see her in South Carolina.

No, James Graham won't be going back to Lake City. I can assure you of that. In

my solitude, I

am praying.

Dear Lord up above.

I almost wish my assignment wasn't over.

Does it have to be?

If you believe in them so much, stick with them.

Suddenly I really like the blues.

I miss my wife and son so much.

I don't have enough leave to travel down to New Orleans and see them.

We were on convoy duty, so even in port, we had to be ready to get underway

whenever the order came.

Send it back,

send it back, my love.

We crossed that cruel sea over and over, and every time I wondered if we

would make it back. Would I ever see my family again?

Our congregation this morning, we have some of our young men who are serving in

combat.

Please stand.

And I want you to know we are proud of you.

This war tries us all.

Death and destruction reach into our lives, threatening our families and our

homes. But our faith is strong.

It's strong.

This country is not perfect.

There are promises still to be kept.

But this land holds the bones of our ancestors, our heroes, Frederick

Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and millions more.

Yes, they have made it beautiful.

We were on our way.

This time we had more to worry about than you both.

The sea itself was about to turn against us.

High winds, rough seas, fog so thick we had to slow down.

Made us easy pickings for you both.

But collisions between ships would be just as deadly.

Paravise.

Brighter than any star. It's awful out there.

It's going to get worse. Weather reports say 60 mile an hour winds.

Can we take that?

We'll find out.

That ocean almost got us.

One of the smaller boats in the convoy did get us out.

When the seas calmed down, we found the body of one sailor tied to the right by

that poor fellow. We pray thee to bless this memorial service and to look down

with favor upon us and to him who has made the supreme sacrifice for the

of all free men everywhere.

In God we trust, and may the faith of our Father's guide protect and sustain

We permit you to be seated.

It's the first time I've ever cut the man off the side.

I wonder if he had a family.

Everybody's got a family.

What were you thinking about?

We're all in the hands of Providence.

Those are some flags here.

Where's the officer?

The officer's throwing up in the hay.

This is urgent, sir.

Commodore wants us to take the manned ships in.

Alone? Yep.

Give the mason a chance to show what she can do.

All the engine room.

Prepare for flag speed.

It's the only way to get through these seas.

Now hear this. This is the captain.

We've been assigned to escort the forward section of the convoy into

The other ships will ride out the storm here.

Give me a weather report.

We need to find out the wind speeds.

Yes, sir.

We could hardly see the buoys meant to guide us through that treacherous

channel. I tried to signal the other ships.

Then... We lost all communication.

Sir, nothing's happening.

There's no signal.

All right. Go out and check on the aerial.

The aerial for the radio is gone, sir. And, Captain, the deck's split.

Split? How bad?

It seems all foot apart, sir.

Captain, we could break it down.

Sir, we've got guys on this ship that can turn jalopies into Cadillacs. We can

fix it.

Then do it.

Land.

We're going to make it.

Congratulations to every man on this ship.

It's been quite a night.

I wish I could say your mission was completed.

but we must turn around to aid that part of the convoy still at sea.

We will have help, though.

The British sloops, Rochester and Saladin, will join us.

The British ships signal us that they were turning back.

But that didn't stop the Masons.

Tell them they can do what they damn well please.

The Yanks are heading out.

We went back out to sea, alone.

and whether the mighty British Navy refused to face.

The flagship received our signal and gave the message to Commodore Lind.

Ship sighted, sir.

What ship?

USS Mason, sir.

She made it? Yes, sir.

Dismissed, gentlemen.

Aye, sir.

Signal that plucky little ship that I'm putting the entire convoy under her

protection. She can escort us all in.

Oh, God, Washington's going to hear about the USS Mason.

Commodore Lynn did recommend us for letters of commendation.

Graham received the message.

and rode home to Barbara.

After he made it to port, we went back and helped get the rest of the convoy

Two more big storms hit, but we stayed and brought the ships into port.

Barbara, you know you can't really marry that boy.

I loved him.

He's talking about getting in on all this technology and working in

So after the war, we're going to... I know about after the war.

I remember when our soldiers marched home after World War I.

Plenty of heroes, no jobs, and no justice.

The number one movie in America was Birth of a Nation, the glorious history

the Ku Klux Klan.

Things have changed.

1944, Mama, and I love him.

I do.

You got hot dogs in there?

As you were, ma 'am.

Enjoying, Clement?

I will, sir. How are the facilities?

Fine, but there's another facility for you around the corner.

Sorry about that, but... But what?

Don't the English know that these men just spent 30 days escorting a convoy

of supplies for them across the Atlantic?

It's not the English, Mr. Young?

Well, let's go.

We left England.

There was no more talk of commendations, but the Allies were winning victories

in Europe, and we had time to think about the future.

What are your plans after this is all over?

I want to raise my family in a world where there is real opportunities.

I want to take the training I've gotten from the Navy back home, get a nice job.

Live my life to the fullest.

I had a week's leave.

I was going to see my wife, Colette, and my little boy, Charles, after more than

a year.

Colette was in Connecticut.

The family she worked for in New Orleans had moved north and took her with them.

Their two sons were very attached to her and to Charles.

Charles, give me a hug.

I have something for you.

Hold on.

Look.

I made this for you. This is my ship. It's the USS Mason.

You see the 529?

You want to play with this, too?

No? I was a stranger to my own

son.

Charles has grown up with them.

He thinks of them like his brothers.

It's just that he doesn't know you, Lorenzo.

You're looking too hard.

I don't mind.

It's for our family.

We've got our own place in the city.

I promise.

By

New

Year's Eve, we were back at sea.

1945.

May it bring the peace we all long for.

But the war dragged on.

We escorted convoys to North Africa.

There were still dangers, but we were an experienced team.

Well, you see, Blackford, why you can't continue as captain.

Actually, I don't see.

Sir, you know there's a line between officers and enlisted men that can't be

crossed ever.

And how did I cross this line?

Granting liberty, for one thing.

When every other ship in the task force received it?

And these reports.

Your exaggeration about this colored crew.

The praise.

When I had complaints from white petty officers.

Oh, really?

Remember, sir, it was Commodore Lind.

who recommended the men for commendation after NY 119.

Oh, that.

Well, we did a report on Negroes in the Navy.

Here it is.

Reasons for discrimination in the United States are rather generally that, A,

the white man will not accept the Negro in a position of authority over him. B,

the white man considers that he is of a superior race and will not admit the

Negro as an equal.

And C, the white man refuses to admit the Negro in intimate family

leading to marriage.

So, so what?

That's the United States Navy's position?

I wouldn't want my daughter to marry one?

That is so off base.

So insulting for the men risking their lives for this country.

When I accepted this command.

I actually had officers tell me that when the guns went off, my sailors would

so scared they'd jump overboard.

And the officers would have to bring the ship home.

I laughed.

I thought, hey, some people are stupid and prejudiced.

But for you, justifying such vile nonsense with your official

report, the truth.

As a way of winning in the end.

And I was even thinking of staying in the Navy.

It was never the same after Captain Blackford left.

Well, there was still good times.

The new generation.

Yes, in an old world.

But they're strong.

Well, they will have to be.

Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.

General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to

United Nations.

You certainly performed a service, Mr. Young.

I wish that were true.

Our ancestors have fought in every war since America was born.

And their names are only known by those who love them.

You helped to change that. Thank you.

And thank the good Lord.

You are a woman of faith, Miss. Buchanan.

I am. I am indeed.

But you must know that today's newspapers only wrap tomorrow's fish.

Well, not in this case. Look.

Oh, good Lord.

We made one for my son, one for Jim, and one for Lorenzo Dufault.

And look. Would you look at this?

Remember this? Mm -hmm.

Invisible. Like this.

Those scrapbooks were treasures.

Graham had even kept a copy of the message Commodore Lynn had sent to the

captain, recommending us for the commendation we never got.

Soon the war in the Pacific came to an end, and they didn't need us or the

anymore.

Some guys stayed in the Navy, and the military did integrate.

in 1948.

I like to think we had something to do with that.

We meant to stay in touch, but we didn't.

Still, not a day goes by that I don't think of my shipmates and the

USS Mason.

Well, that's the story.

What a story.

No one knows about it.

It happened.

It's history. It's our history.

Lost, strayed, and stolen. Yes!

What I fear is when the last survivor of the Mason goes, the story will go

with it. That's not right.

At least you should try to get together, find the others, and try.

Most of them are probably passed on by now.

Why? You're alive.

Barely. Well, we at least got to find James Graham and Buchanan.

Yeah. How?

I don't know where they settled.

They could be anywhere by now.

No. No.

Thank you for listening.

You know, your father never wanted to

hear about the Mason.

So, don't. Let nobody tell you that we were not there.

We were there.

Oh, yes.

We were there.

What's this?

I thought we were going bluefish. Some people here want to meet you. Hold on.

Graham?

Is that you?

Oh,

man.

Barbara.

Oh, how good it is to see you.

I haven't seen you guys.

When did we last see each other? It was wonderful to be with my shipmates and

Barbara again.

And to have Larry and his friends so interested in our story.

Barbara told us Graham had been writing to the Navy for years, trying to get

them to recognize the Masons' achievement and award us that

The Navy...

Turned him down flat. Well, you can't just let them get away with that.

What can we do?

My father's got all kind of contacts.

If we go there with a letter from the senator, that's got to open some doors.

I don't know.

My son is not interested.

I wouldn't ask him.

But I would.

I would.

I'll call you after lunch. Okay, bye.

Well, what do you know? A twofer.

All the times I've asked you to come and visit me, Dad, here you are.

Sit down.

Thank you.

Pretty nice, huh?

Mm -hmm.

This desk, John D. Rockefeller had one just like it.

Cost me $100 ,000.

But it's a piece of history.

That's what I tell people.

I'm sure you do.

But Charles, I came over with Larry. And Larry, soon to be my corporate counsel.

Coffee, tea, or brandy?

No.

Look, Dad, I thought I'd drop a brief.

Lay out the whole USS Mason case.

What? Are you nuts?

Larry, do you want to be known as a troublemaker?

Do you know how many contracts the Navy controls?

Charles, you and I have our differences.

But you're still my son, and I love you. And I don't want anything to come

between you and Larry.

Really? You love me?

You could have fooled me.

Anything I got, I worked for.

Going to college at night.

I didn't want that for Larry.

Charles, I put food on the table. I put a shelter over your head.

And I tried to teach you some values.

Values? You made my mother into a servant.

She wanted to come north, and that was the only way we could do it. I tried.

tried.

You told me that over and over. But what have you done? My life, whatever it is,

speaks for itself.

It's a fantasy.

You and that ship.

Heroes nobody ever heard about.

You don't understand.

It's true. He is a hero.

Well, what am I?

You remember me? The guy that wires money into your account every month?

we as young black Americans don't... Larry, Dad, when will you get it?

This country is not about black and white.

The only color that counts is green.

No, Charles.

The colors that count are red, white, and blue.

I am a part of American history.

This is my land. I defended it.

And 160 black men on the USS Mason defended it too.

Proudly we served.

And I want that acknowledged.

Larry went to Washington to get justice for the Mason. He had Jim Graham's copy

of the message about our commendation.

The Navy has changed.

But a lot of people here don't want to look at the past, start talking about

injustices, writing wrong.

Where does it lead?

I know we can't redeem all of history, but these men are here now.

Isn't there some way we can recognize what they did? Because they did do it.

Whether or not we can prove it. But it's all about evidence.

But the Navy don't keep its paperwork.

If you could find the original on our record, we've got a case.

I'm sorry. I looked everywhere.

The USS Mason files, destroyer escort history, convoy NY -119.

No recommendations for honor. Nothing.

Lots of documents got lost after the war.

Not bad.

I hear a file on the commodore of the convoy.

Lynn, maybe you can know. Highly unlikely.

Can you try, please?

Look, I'm not supposed to do research on the spot here. You're supposed to file

a request, and then we evaluate the request, and then maybe... You get the

rules. You know we're right.

Don't you have grandparents?

These men are heroes.

All right.

All right.

Granddad. Granddad, wake up.

Wake up.

What are you, dying?

No, no, no.

I just picked my email.

It's going to happen. The commendation.

I mean, it'll take a while for the paperwork to come through, but you got

It's been approved.

After all these years.

Yeah.

We did it.

Revenge is so sweet.

Oh, no.

Let's not go to that eye for an eye territory that leaves both people blind.

All my life I've avoided letting hate take me over.

I do that and they will have won.

Well.

You all right?

I'm fine.

You think I'm going to die before the mason gets ready, right?

Oh, no.

You... Maybe you ought to tell your parents.

Maybe.

Oh, man.

How

could

I ever find her?

Yeah. Maybe it might bring peace to our family.

Free Larry to follow his dream.

I'd go to Connecticut and try.

Mom thought you could use a little privacy.

It's a big house.

Keep me at one end and your father at the other.

He goes to work so early.

Comes home late.

You wouldn't even have to talk to him if you don't want to.

Charles and me.

Always had their lock horns.

I wonder where he gets it from.

Collette, your grandmother.

She was gentle and tender, and her family was soft -spoken. I don't want to

to keep coming down here about all this loud noise.

Well,

what's

all that about?

The apple in the tree.

Right.

You know, in all my time coming up, you never just talked to me or

laughed and joked like you do with Larry.

I don't recall us having many father and son moments.

Larry, you'll never understand about fathers and sons until you have a son of

your own.

That's the truth.

I remember them.

I wanted so bad to take it and show those boys my daddy's ship.

But I was so mad at you.

Charles, for whatever pain I caused you,

I'm truly sorry.

Will you take it now, Bishop?

Thank you.

With dignity Through storms and strife He built a life

My grandpa's life He fought the war

Did so much more Than I can know Where did it go

My grandpa's life It's up to

me

Welcome, men of the nation, your families, friends, and many admirers, of

I am one.

I stand before you now because of the men I'm about to honor.

To quote President Bill Clinton, for decades...

African American veterans have been missing from our memories of World War

yet their service helped liberate us all from segregation.

That victory, I believe, is even more significant to this country than the one

you helped win for the world in 1945.

The enemies you fought against in World War II are now our allies.

The liberation of America from racism and division is yet to be achieved.

You have continued as warriors in that struggle.

And today we celebrate a triumph.

I am proud to award this long overdue commendation and

tell you that one of the Navy's newest destroyers, shall be called the

USS Mason.

By their unrelenting determination and steadfast devotion to duty, the officers

and crew of USS Mason DE -529 reflected credit upon themselves,

and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Radio man, second class, James Warren Graham.

To

present

the letter of commendation to Lorenzo Defoe, I call on his grandson.

He and his friends helped make today possible.

Ensign Lorenzo Defoe.

will be serving on the USS Mason, BDT -87.

I would like to thank my grandfather and the rest of the men of the USS Mason,

not only for your services in World War II, but for your lives ever since.

Such endurance.

So many dreams deferred for us, for the grandchildren.

And I assure you, your sacrifices.

will not have been in vain.

Signalman First Class Lorenzo Dufault.

The Bible says a man's reward is when his.

children and grandchildren, rise up and call him blessed.

I am.

We are blessed.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming President William Jefferson

Copeland.

Thank you very much.

Sailing for the United States ship Mason, who saved a convoy in one of the

storms in the history of Atlantic sailing.

Magnificent! Magnificent!

Proudly we serve, the old red, white, and blue.

Proudly we serve, though we were trying to.

We never swore, did what we had to do.

Proudly we, proudly we serve.

Proudly we serve, the old red, white, and blue.

Proudly we serve.

Though we were trying to shoo, we never thwarted what we had to do.

Proudly we, proudly we served.

A man defends his home, this is my country too. A man

defends his home, hear what I'm telling you.

A man defends his home, we are the Mason crew.

Proudly we, proudly we serve.

A man defends his home.

This is my country too.

A man defends his home. Hear what I'm telling you.

A man defends his home. We are the Macy crew.

Proudly we, proudly we serve.

Proudly we serve.

The old red, white, and blue. Proudly we serve.

Proudly we serve. Though we were trying. Though we were trying to. Come on. We

never swerved. We never swerved. Did what we had to do. Did what we had to

Proudly. Proudly we, proudly we serve.

Yes, we did. Sing it again.

Proudly we, proudly we serve. With God on our side.

Proudly we, proudly we serve. Always come be our guide.

Proudly we, proudly we serve Proudly we, proudly we

serve Proudly we,

proudly we serve Proudly we, proudly we serve

Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm has

bound the restless wave, who bids the mighty

ocean deep its own appointed limits

keep. O hear us when we cry to thee

for those in peril.

the sea.